Nature Notes

On the heath and bog, reptiles now retreat to their underground Winter homes called hibernacula. The occasional mild and sunny day may allow for some activity.

Also making use of any warmer days are some of the butterflies. Many species overwinter as eggs, laid on the caterpillar food plants. A few such as the Red Admiral and Tortoiseshell can overwinter as adults and will often shelter hidden in garden sheds or garages. Before hibernating, they build up their food reserves and can be seen feeding on late flowering plants such as Ivy. If you have Ivy on trees in your garden think twice before removing it. Contrary to popular belief it is not a parasite and does not "strangle" trees. For birds and insects it provides all year round shelter, a late nectar source and berries as food. Nesting birds and even bats have been known to use it as a home.

Out on the bog you may be lucky enough to glimpse a Snipe. This is a well camouflaged wading bird that spends most of its time feeding on wet ground. Usually only noticed when disturbed, look for the extra long bill as an identifying feature. Also look out for incoming migrants such as Fieldfare, Redwing, Brambling, Redpole and Siskin.

The occasional dragonfly may still be seen along the boardwalk, usually resting on the boards or rails, trying to absorb the little warmth they can from the weak sunshine. These insects rely for food on new larvae emerging from the bog pools each year. The few adults you now see will gradually die over the coming weeks.

Sightings

Large White and Peacock butterflies, Common Darter dragonflies, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Jays, Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Sparrowhawk, Goldcrest and Snipe.

The damp, warmer weather is ideal for fungi and more than 50 varieties have been recorded including:- Fly Agaric, Shallow Pored Bolete, Amethyst Deceiver, Ochre Brittegill, The Blusher, Spotted Toughshank, Earpick Fungus, Birch Mazegill, Mottled Egghead, Safron Milkcap, White Coral Fungus, Surprise Webcap, Grooved Bonnet, Sulpher Tuft, Hoof Fungus, Brown Pingill. Other species yet to be confirmed:-
Clitocybe Gilva, Hemimycena Pseudogracilis, Mycena Umbellifera, Cortinarius, Mycena Megaspore, Panaeolus Acuminatus and Hebeloma Sinapizans.

Gorse is now showing a few flowers.

A Slow worm was spotted by Ranger staff on 26th October.

Monitoring of Bats during the last month has continued but no movement has been recorded.

Nature Fact

Fungi differ from plants, which manufacture their food, and animals, which ingest and internally digest their food, in that they secrete enzymes and digest their food externally. They represent a separate and very large kingdom of their own.

Work on site

Work on site has included the removal of dead and dangerous trees or limbs next to footpaths. Where possible Dorset Countryside will leave standing dead trees for insects, fungi and all who feed on them - nature's takeaway restaurant for species such as the Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Where dead trees and branches pose an obvious hazard to people using the Reserve, they have to be removed. Contractors will be doing more branch pruning over coming weeks so please comply with all signage.

Woodland management work on the edge of Hazel Wood is also ongoing. This work will encourage regeneration of a greater diversity of trees and shrubs in place of the dominant pines being felled Increased light levels will encourage wild flowers.

Other work undertaken include mowing and pruning footpaths and ongoing invasive/exotic plant control